A SWAT team and hostage negotiation team were called out to the avenues neighborhood in Chico on Wednesday.
Andre Byik — Enterprise-Record

Chico >> A man Wednesday who allegedly threatened to harm his ex-wife and then barricaded himself in a home surrendered peacefully following an hours-long standoff with Chico police, officers said.

The episode began about 11:40 a.m. Wednesday, when police received a call regarding a man who allegedly threatened to harm his ex-wife while being assisted at Enloe Behavioral Health, Chico police Cmdr. Billy Aldridge said.

Police then received a call from the ex-wife who reported the man, identified as David Arko, 41, of Chico, entered her home in the 1600 block of Arbutus Avenue, between East Fifth and East seventh avenues, Aldridge said.

The woman was able to leave the home without injury, but Arko subsequently barricaded himself inside the home and refused to exit for about five hours.

Officers tried talking to the man to convince him to exit the home during the episode, and a SWAT team and armored vehicle were called to the residential street to assist, Aldridge said.

Hostage negotiators and a behavioral health specialist also were called to the scene during the standoff, he said.

Arko remained alone inside the home during the incident.

The police commander said Arko allegedly made threats to law enforcement during the standoff, and he also is suspected of residential burglary, violating a restraining order and domestic battery.

Police did not say whether they believed Arko had access to any weapons, but the man was described as “suicidal.”

About 5 p.m., police said Arko surrendered peacefully without the need of officers to enter the home to remove him.

He was arrested at the scene, but specific charges related to the incident were not immediately announced.

No evacuations were ordered, but some residents received reverse 9-1-1 calls advising them to shelter in place. Hooker Oak School was notified but not asked to go into lockdown.

Police closed Arbutus Avenue to vehicle and foot traffic between East Fifth and East Seventh avenues during the incident.